Midwest Industries FSB mount in conjunction with a VLTOR Scout mount.
Stable, secure, getting the light out past the FSB will reduce shadows and dead spots in the lights beam, and the approx 11:00 or 1:00 position tucks the light closer into the rifle for a more natural grip and reduction in the possibilities of a side barrier obscuring your beam when shooting from behind cover/concealment. The position also reduces the tendency of your light to smack into obstacles as it’s not hanging as far out on the side of the weapon. You also run less risk of the light shifting during use by using this more stable mounting method.
I run this combo on my Mk18 clone with great success. This was an evolution from side (9:00 or 3:00) mounts and offset mounts running the light from the top rail in the same orientation but further back on the handguard.
As already mentioned the shorter CAR handguards get crowded fast and this combo allows you to move the light out toward the muzzle allowing for more room for your hand adding comfort and increased stability by moving your hand out further toward the muzzle.
I am not a fan of lights mounted anywhere from 3:00 - 6:00 - 9:00.
Impact Weapons Components designed our TMC 1" Light Mounts to be used on M4/A2 and MOE Carbine Gen 1 hand guards.
As previously posted in this thread, some hand guards have close spacing between the gas tube and inside of the hand guard / heat shields. If the weapon you have does not have an 1/8" of clearance, then our Mount should not be used without modification of the heat shields.
Thank you everyone. You know now that I’m looking at the MI FST mount, I’m not sure it will work in conjunction with a side sling swivel as well. How much clearance is under this mount? I’m currently a bit too broke to order it just yet. Anybody use one of these who also have the side sling swivel? Does it provide enough clearance? I’d hate to order one of these, and find out its not going to clear the swivel. I called a local shop to see if they had any to try out, but they dont carry this item.
Well damn it to hell… I was looking at the front sight tower and I thought with the swivel on there it may not have the clearance. Glad I don’t have the funding at this time. This is the reason I didn’t roll with the Elzetta mount. This damn side sling swivel keeps screwing me over. I may have to get rid of it and find alternative methods of sling attachment. I just want the damn light rail mount! Laugh out loud, friggin rail systems, granted they are really cool, I just dont need them.
Without a rail, that is the best location I know of for a light. Just used mine in a class, that included a night shoot, and the light was easy to use and worked well mounted on the front sight. The change in the sling mounting location was an irritant both days of the class. Not sure what will be next???
Yeah I’m not sure what to do now. I really like the side sling swivel, but I’d hate to get rid of it. I like how it sits when shouldering the weapon, and when moving with the rifle hanging at my chest. I thought I had it pegged. Damn. How much does the rail inhibit the swivel, or can you even install the FST mount at all?